Empanelment Rules
The criteria, standards and obligations that govern admission to FEAM's panels of arbitrators and mediators — reproduced from Schedule K (Empanelment & Accreditation) of the FEAM Institutional Rules.
Merit-based admission, against published criteria
FEAM maintains its panels on merit, against published and transparent criteria set out in Schedule K of the FEAM Institutional Rules. Empanelment is open to legal professionals and domain experts alike, and is administered by the Secretariat.
Admission to a panel establishes a neutral's eligibility for appointment; it is not itself an appointment, and it does not guarantee appointment in any matter. In every reference the parties retain full autonomy over the choice of arbitrator or mediator, including persons not on a FEAM panel.
Three panels
FEAM empanels across three tracks. Each has its own eligibility criteria, set out in full below.
Panel of Arbitrators
Advocates, retired judges and domain experts who sit as arbitrators under the FEAM Arbitration Rules.
Panel of Mediators
Trained mediators across commercial, construction, employment, family and community disputes.
Senior Panel
The most senior practitioners — the first source for Emergency Arbitrator and presiding-chair appointments.
Criteria for empanelment
The requirements below are reproduced from Schedule K. An applicant must satisfy the criteria for the panel to which they seek admission.
Panel of Arbitrators
- Qualification (one of): an advocate of not less than 10 years' standing OR a retired judge OR a domain expert — engineer, architect, chartered accountant, doctor, banker, and the like — with not less than 15 years' professional experience OR an MCIArb / FCIArb qualification (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators) or equivalent.K.A.1
- ADR experience: at least 5 years in arbitration (as arbitrator, counsel or expert) for legal professionals; domain experts may instead complete FEAM's Mandatory ADR Orientation Programme (40 hours) or an equivalent.
- No disqualification: free from all Fifth Schedule grounds, with no pending criminal proceedings involving moral turpitude and no fitness hearing before any professional body.
- Availability: willingness to meet FEAM's award-delivery timelines, file an availability statement for each appointment, and accept the consequences of unexplained delay.
- Continuing development: a commitment to at least 10 hours of ADR-related CPD each year.
Panel of Mediators
- Training: completion of a recognised 40-hour mediator training programme — FEAM's own, IMI-approved, or court-approved.
- Experience: at least 5 completed co-mediated or supervised cases.
- Registration: compliance with Mediation Council of India (MCI) registration requirements, once notified under the Mediation Act, 2023.
- Subject-matter expertise: declare your areas of practice — FEAM maintains category-wise mediator lists across commercial, construction, employment, family and community mediation.
- Ongoing standing: empanelled mediators are subject to an annual fitness and conduct review.
Senior Panel
- Standing (one of): not less than 20 years' ADR experience as an arbitrator or senior advocate OR a retired judge of a High Court or the Supreme Court. An FCIArb qualification (or equivalent) is preferred.K.C.1
- Role: Senior Panel members are the first source for Emergency Arbitrator appointments and for FEAM-appointed Chairperson appointments in three-member tribunals.K.C.2
Qualifying credentials
FEAM recognises established professional training and accreditation as part of its eligibility criteria.
Arbitrators
A professional qualification from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb / FCIArb) or an equivalent is recognised. Domain experts without prior arbitration experience complete FEAM's Mandatory ADR Orientation Programme (40 hours) or an equivalent.
Mediators
A 40-hour mediator training programme that is FEAM's own, IMI-approved, or court-approved; together with registration with the Mediation Council of India once the Council's requirements are notified under the Mediation Act, 2023.
Ongoing obligations
Empanelment is not a one-time badge. FEAM's standing depends on the discipline of its panel, so members accept a set of continuing obligations and FEAM's Code of Ethics.
Timeliness
Meet FEAM's award-delivery timelines and file availability statements for each appointment.
Independence
Remain free of disqualifying conflicts and make full, ongoing disclosure.
Development
Maintain at least 10 hours of ADR-related CPD each year (arbitrators).
Conduct
Uphold FEAM's Code of Ethics and submit to periodic fitness and conduct review.
An open and representative bench
FEAM actively welcomes applications from women practitioners, from practitioners in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and from professionals of diverse backgrounds. A representative panel is part of how FEAM keeps dispute resolution accessible and credible.
The empanelment process
If you meet the criteria for your panel, FEAM would be glad to consider your application.
Check your panel
Confirm you meet the Schedule K criteria for the Arbitrator, Mediator or Senior Panel.
Submit your application
Send your CV, credentials and declared areas of expertise through FEAM's application route.
Review & orientation
The Secretariat reviews against the criteria; domain experts complete the 40-hour ADR orientation where required.
Empanelment
On approval, you are admitted to the panel and become eligible for appointment under the applicable Rules.
Maintaining empanelment
Empanelment is continuing and is maintained subject to FEAM's Code of Ethics and to periodic fitness and conduct review — conducted annually for mediators. A member who no longer meets the criteria, or who is in breach of the Code of Ethics, may cease to be empanelled at FEAM's discretion.
Apply for empanelment
Arbitrators, mediators and senior practitioners who meet the Schedule K criteria are invited to apply to FEAM's founding bench.
Start your applicationABOUT THESE RULES
Criteria reproduced from Schedule K, FEAM Institutional Rules. Certain thresholds — the years of standing and experience in Part A — are subject to confirmation by the FEAM board. Empanelment is at FEAM's discretion, against the published criteria and its Code of Ethics, and does not guarantee appointment to any matter. In every reference the parties retain full autonomy over the choice of neutral, including persons not on a FEAM panel, under the FEAM Rules, the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and, for mediation, the Mediation Act, 2023. Application details are as declared by applicants and remain subject to FEAM's verification. This page is for general information and does not constitute legal advice.